What does microsporidian mean?

Definitions for microsporidian
mi·crosporid·i·an

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word microsporidian.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. microsporidiannoun

    parasite of arthropods and fishes that invade and destroy host cells

Wiktionary

  1. microsporidiannoun

    Any of many parasites, of the class Microsporidia, that are very small fungi

Wikipedia

  1. microsporidian

    Microsporidia are a group of spore-forming unicellular parasites. These spores contain an extrusion apparatus that has a coiled polar tube ending in an anchoring disc at the apical part of the spore. They were once considered protozoans or protists, but are now known to be fungi, or a sister group to fungi. These fungal microbes are obligate eukaryotic parasites that use a unique mechanism to infect host cells. They have recently been discovered in a 2017 Cornell study to infect Coleoptera on a large scale. So far, about 1500 of the probably more than one million species are named. Microsporidia are restricted to animal hosts, and all major groups of animals host microsporidia. Most infect insects, but they are also responsible for common diseases of crustaceans and fish. The named species of microsporidia usually infect one host species or a group of closely related taxa. Approximately 10 percent of the species are parasites of vertebrates —several species, most of which are opportunistic, can infect humans, in whom they can cause microsporidiosis. After infection they influence their hosts in various ways and all organs and tissues are invaded, though generally by different species of specialised microsporidia. Some species are lethal, and a few are used in biological control of insect pests. Parasitic castration, gigantism, or change of host sex are all potential effects of microsporidian parasitism (in insects). In the most advanced cases of parasitism the microsporidium rules the host cell completely and controls its metabolism and reproduction, forming a xenoma.Replication takes place within the host's cells, which are infected by means of unicellular spores. These vary from 1–40 μm, making them some of the smallest eukaryotes. Microsporidia that infect mammals are 1.0–4.0 μm. They also have the smallest eukaryotic genomes. The terms "microsporidium" (pl. "microsporidia") and "microsporidian" are used as vernacular names for members of the group. The name Microsporidium Balbiani, 1884 is also used as a catchall genus for incertae sedis members.

ChatGPT

  1. microsporidian

    Microsporidians refer to a diverse group of single-celled, eukaryotic parasites belonging to the phylum Microsporidia. They are characterized by the production of resistant spores and are known to infect a variety of hosts - from invertebrates to vertebrates, including humans. Besides, they are notorious for causing certain diseases, like diarrhea in AIDS patients. They were historically classified as protozoans or parasitic fungi but are now recognized as a distinct phylum.

Matched Categories

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

How to pronounce microsporidian?

How to say microsporidian in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of microsporidian in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of microsporidian in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Translation

Find a translation for the microsporidian definition in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Word of the Day

Would you like us to send you a FREE new word definition delivered to your inbox daily?

Please enter your email address:


Citation

Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"microsporidian." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 Nov. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/microsporidian>.

Discuss these microsporidian definitions with the community:

0 Comments

    Are we missing a good definition for microsporidian? Don't keep it to yourself...

    Image or illustration of

    microsporidian

    Credit »

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Quiz

    Are you a words master?

    »
    a shortage of rainfall
    A rapture
    B rateables
    C witness
    D drought

    Nearby & related entries:

    Alternative searches for microsporidian: